Big Blue Plates

Wow, those are some BIG blue stone plates.

Also, like the blue ocean and shells as the backdrop on the wall. 

Favorite color is BLUE!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Big Blue Plates

Cookies and Cupcakes

Love this selection of cookies and cupcakes. 

Colorful and plenty of smiles!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Minna Blumenthal)

Cookies and Cupcakes

That's a Hairdo

Wow you can get your hair all spiky and tall. 

And choose your color: blue, pink, or yellow. 

Who doesn't want to have that much hair again.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

That's a Hairdo

The Tragic Comedy of the “Anti-Zionist Synagogue”

 
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Tragic Comedy of the 'Anti-Zionist Synagogue'."

Recently in the Forward, I read about this “synagogue,” Tzedek Chicago, that has the tragic distinction of being the first anti-Zionist synagogue in America. They claim that they are all about justice, as their name “Tzedek” supposedly implies, and as their website values states:

"…the creation of an ethnic Jewish nation state in historic Palestine resulted in an injustice against the Palestinian people, an injustice that continues to this day."

However, the facts do not match the rhetoric. Anti-Zionism, regardless of the source is ultimately about Jew hatred.

(Screenshot from @margoexplainsitall on Instagram reel at https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcBMN1bFfpU/)

The Tragic Comedy of the “Anti-Zionist Synagogue”

No News Is Good News

No news is good news. 

Unfortunately, most of the news these days is bad news.

• War
• Terrorism
• Global tensions
• Threats of WMD
• Political dysfunction
• Inflation
• Trade deficit
• Ballooning debt
• Sinking economy
• Global warming
• Social divisions
• Rampant crime
• Chaos at the border
• Pandemic
• Care giver shortage

Only good news is usually technology and acts of compassion, caring, personal sacrifice and sometimes true heroism!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

No News Is Good News

Sounds Refreshing

Great sign for the Pablo Picasso drink.

If you have too much, do you feel like the guy pictured here?

Maybe people need to feel this way sometimes (especially when the world looks like it's going to hell).  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Sounds Refreshing

Lady On Shirt

Like this shirt with the cool lady on it. 

Sort of has the 70's hippie look. 

Those were the days!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Lady On Shirt

Doggie Apron

These dogs are hungry for some good cooking too!

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Doggie Apron

Beautiful Architecture

Love this view from the bedroom. 

Over the terrace and into the sunset. 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Beautiful Architecture

Playing The Odds

 

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Playing The Odds."

The stranger told me: Precisely fifty years ago, the doctor told me the exact same thing about having a one in a hundred chance of paralysis if they operated. So, what did I do? I went to see the Rabbi (Avigdor Miller) and ask his advice, and the Rabbi says to me: "A Jew doesn’t take odds like that!"

I thought to myself while Jews don’t take those wild odds (1 in a 100 of paralysis), why do they play the odds with their souls by pretending to be religious on the outside, but on the inside and away from human eyes doing evil? Surely, we all know that G-d sees everything and that a faithful judgment awaits us all. And it all made sense not to play the odds not only with our physical health, but also with our spiritual wellbeing.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Playing The Odds

Toppings!

The toppings are the best part of ice cream and frozen yogurt. 

Nice to have a colorful assortment to choose from: fruits, nuts, candies, chocolates, marshmallows, and drizzles.

My favorite hot, hot fudge!

Sweet is everywhere!  ;-)

(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

Toppings!

GameStop Is Going Nowhere

This is what GameStop is selling. 

- Wrestling Buddies dolls 

Cute, but not really a shopping imperative and the store was deserted. 

Yet, GameStop stock is still stratospheric, while tech and innovation is in the graveyard depths.

The world is upside down and inside out. 

I think a day of reckoning is coming to bring us back to earthly reality.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

GameStop Is Going Nowhere

Healthy Tuna Salad

Tuna fish.

Green salad.

Cole slaw

Balsamic vinegar over the top.  

Eat up.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Healthy Tuna Salad

The Real Unthinkable Option

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "The Real Unthinkable Option."

Listen, we are forever in a battle of good and evil in this world. We have to rise to the occasion to stand by our faith in G-d and ensure that good prevails. Easier said than done, because of course, fighting to defeat wrongdoing and evil is not only a battle that takes places within our own souls, but with those that have already sold their souls to the devil for money, power, honor, and every worldly gratification. So, the battles and wars ahead are scary indeed, but we have to choose the right side, silence our own inner conflict and turmoil, and put our fears aide.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The Real Unthinkable Option

Anniversary Fruit Plate

Anniversary fruit plate and artisan and sparkling water.

There was also a tray of chocolates and nuts. 

Nice complimentary gesture and classy surprise to come back to.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Anniversary Fruit Plate

Simply Marvelous!

White Sand.

Blue Surf.

Sun and Sky. 

Palm Trees. 

Boardwalk. 

Relaxing!  ;-)

(Credit The Beautiful Creation: G-d Almighty)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Simply Marvelous!

Cool To Be Square

Thought this was a cool sculpture. 

Squares and then some. 

It's abstract. 

Get it? ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Cool To Be Square

Food Child Abuse

There are many ways that children get abused. 

This one was by food! 

The parent was feeding their child a HUGE bag of Cheetos for breakfast. 

The bag was fully ripped open down the middle, so it couldn't really be closed and nothing would be left anyway. 

If that wasn't enough, on the airplane, the parent then gave the child 2 more bags of PopCorners.

Honestly, I felt bad for the kid(s), who seemed like good, sweet kids. 

But this is not the way to teach them to eat without getting them sick. 

Trying to judge people for the positive: maybe the parent thought they were doing something nice for the kid by letting them eat all these snacks--like a treat. 

But honestly, this wasn't doing the child any favors, no matter what the flavors!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Food Child Abuse

Jude in America

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Jude in America."

What was shocking was that despite the professional environment, this was a climate where they actually felt “safe” expressing their Antisemitism and hate. In this case, these high-level, powerful, “educated” people working in the heart of our nation’s capital should know better, much better than to harass someone because she is a Jew, an Israeli, a woman or all three.

It is unfortunate that there still are individuals that hate out there: that lash out questioning our faith, our people, and our intentions. Good people see the common humanity and good in others, and bad people are infatuated with imaginary intolerable differences, especially of minorities, and enjoy scapegoating them, goading others to join their hate, and even violently preying on them.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Jude in America

Comfy In The Airport

  

Sure, make yourself comfortable,

Take your shoes off. 

Put your feet up. 

Wrap your legs around some luggage. 

Recline and put your head back into the pillow.

Put in your ear buds and listen to some music.

Have something to drink.

Take a few extra seats.

Relax and enjoy.

Flying the friendly skies.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Comfy In The Airport